Certification
Application Process
1
Pre-Screening
Complete the pre-screening and application questions online.
In about 10 business days, Qurator will respond with your preliminary score and call to set up your audit and onboarding.
2
Onboarding
The onboarding is a quick welcome to the program, explaining your scoring and badges earned.
The audit will ask about 25 questions to confirm that youʻre getting all the credit you’ve earned and look for any possibilities to adjust your score.
3
Certification
Once the audit is complete, we’ll forward your marketing packet and draft press release.
Your certification is good for 12 months. When itʻs time to re-certify, youʻll only need to answer new questions which have been added to the program since your original application
Apply below and start enjoying the benefits of certification for your business.
Certification Criteria & Requirements
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority wants to recognize positive contributions to Hawaiʻi. To qualify for this program, a business must:
- Be active in the travel and tourism industry
- Have a physical presence in Hawaiʻi
- Be current in your regulatory obligations: licenses, taxes, certifications, etc.
Begin Your Qurator Certification Journey
To get started, simply click on the category below that best represents your business. You’ll then be directed to our certification questionnaire.
Please note that you’ll be prompted to create a Qurator account before accessing the questionnaire. This quick and easy step ensures a seamless certification experience and allows you to save and track your progress.
Select your category now and embark on your journey to becoming a Qurator-certified business!
Air Transport and Air Tours
Food Service
Accommodations
Attractions & Tours
All Other Businesses
Certification Tiers
Qurator Certified
Businesses which meet Qurator Standards across multiple categories are designated as Qurator Certified.
Qurator Honored
Significantly exceeding Qurator Standards across multiple categories earns our partners Honored status.
Qurator Elite
Elite status is awarded to businesses which meet the highest standards across all categories. Elite partners enhance the quality of life in Hawaiʻi while making efforts to protect our environment and culture.
Community
“Those who make a place special deserve to be able to live there.” By reducing their impact on the community, participating in community activities, and listening to local voices in their decision making, Community badge holders think local first.
Cultural Support
Hawaiʻi has unique cuisine, fashion, language, sports, architecture, and music, most of which are not widely found elsewhere. Cultural Support partners exhibit a strong commitment to supporting culture in Hawaiʻi through the performance or display of local art, donations to cultural charities, and respect for tradition.
Guest Experience
Delighting visitors is a tradition in Hawaiʻi. A Guest Experience badge recognizes businesses who form special bonds with all guests, welcoming visitors of all types from all over the world, and providing them with an accessible, satisfying, and welcoming visit.
Equity
Environment
Hawaiʻi is home to vast numbers of unique species and places. Partners with an Environment badge are contributing to the preservation of our place through reducing their waste and carbon output, educating guests on local wildlife, practicing water conservation, and integrating renewable energy and passive lighting and cooling.
Safety
Putting safety first is just the start for these partners, who go above and beyond requriements to prevent injuries, stop crime, prevent the spread of disease, train workers, protect privacy, and prepare for emergencies.
Categories of Excellence
Click on a category for more information
Categories of Excellence
Click on a category for more information
FAQs
Who can be certified?
How long does the process take?
Most questionnaires are completed in about 60 minutes.
Who in my organization should complete the questionnaire?
Why Can't We See Scores?
To treat both large and small businesses fairly Qurator requires a complex scoring system. For example, the Environment Category has dozens of ways to contribute, from alternative energy and architecture to marine wildlife education. No company is likely to meet all Environment criteria. Rather than report raw data, we report where partners stand compared to community and industry standards. A Qurator Elite partner is scoring in the top 10% of their peer group and is significantly exceeding community expectations for their business.
What if we don’t pass?
If you receive no certification or badges, a Qurator representative can coach you through a retest if you want to try again. There is a 3-month waiting period for the first retest, and a six month period for the second retest if necessary.
If we pass, but want to try for a better score, can we try again?
Unfortunately, no. We don’t have the resources to retest passing applicants.
Is there an appeal process?
If you feel there was an error in scoring, or that you were treated unfairly, you may contact scores@qurator.travel. Please provide details on your concerns in your initial email.